My vague, second/third-hand understanding from talking to a friend who has trained at Chute Boxe is that their biggest problem in S&C is losing muscle mass. The pro fighters are typically doing a 90-minute MMA training session most days of the week, which I have heard described as "like doing Tabata intervals for an hour-and-a-half". They also do a 90-minute hard BJJ session several days a week.

Because they rely on their fight training for conditioning, their time in the weight room is aimed primarily at preserving muscle mass and promoting recovery, and is usually done bodybuilding-style.

My vague, second/third-hand understanding from talking to a friend who has trained at Chute Boxe is that their biggest problem in S&C is losing muscle mass. The pro fighters are typically doing a 90-minute MMA training session most days of the week, which I have heard described as "like doing Tabata intervals for an hour-and-a-half". They also do a 90-minute hard BJJ session several days a week.

Because they rely on their fight training for conditioning, their time in the weight room is aimed primarily at preserving muscle mass and promoting recovery, and is usually done bodybuilding-style.

I think that's not a bad way to go...I'd just keep the weight sessions more functional and maybe conjugate method max effort/RFD work. Obviously that approach works for them.

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"Survival will be neither to the strongest of the species, nor to the most intelligent, but to those most adaptable to change."
C. Darwin

But does it work because it's good, or does it work because everyone else is subpar as well?

I think Hamemring Max strength/power and then leaving MOST metcon for sport specific training provides the most benefits. Now this is for a professionsal fighter. For someone rolling 2-3 dyas per week for an hour per session some outside CrossFit/Ross style metcon (1-2 days) in addition to strength work I think is highly appropriate and beneficial.

In the case of the SSP for the fighters you will need to alter those drills frequently to prevent adaptation. The name of the game is learning to be relaxed and movement efficiency. This may become at odds with increasing levels of conditioning which is where a weekly fight gone bad or similar time indexed circuit may be VERY beneficial.

__________________
"Survival will be neither to the strongest of the species, nor to the most intelligent, but to those most adaptable to change."
C. Darwin